Could Euros be played behind closed doors?

Uefa vice-president Giancarlo Abate tells French radio station behind closed doors fixtures can't be ruled out as a last resort measure


23/03/16

The prospect of Wales' Euro 2016 games being played behind closed doors this summer has been raised by one of Uefa's top officials.

Giancarlo Abate, vice-president on Uefa's executive committee, told a French radio station matches at the tournament may need to be played without spectators following the terror incidents in Brussels.

The move would be an absolute last resort, but Abate insisted the tournament could not be postponed.

Thousands of Welsh fans will descend upon France to mingle with supporters from 23 other countries at the showpiece event after Chris Coleman's men became the first Wales team to qualify for a major finals since 1958.

A record number of UK football fans are expected to travel across the channel after Wales, England and Northern Ireland each qualified.

But Abate said closed stadiums could be a possibility if tournament organisers cannot guarantee security for fans inside.

“Euro 2016 is the kind of event we can’t delay or postpone,” he told Radio 24 in France.

“We can’t exclude the possibility of playing behind closed doors as we cannot exclude terrorism.

"If we talked about potentially cancellable games such as a friendly or a competitive match that could be moved to another date, but obviously this would not be the case.

“But we are talking about games which are staged for June, whereas today we are going through a very urgent emergency.”

Following Abate's comments, Uefa issued a statement which pointed out they are regularly monitoring the level of risk for the tournament and organisational plans.

“For over three years, Euro 2016 has been working closely with the relevant authorities to develop the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee a secure tournament and necessary measures are being taken to ensure that is the case for everyone involved," it read.

France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said: ”The events in Brussels remind us of the very high level of security which is necessary to ensure Euro 2016 is successful.

"Euro 2016 must combine sportsmanship, festivity and security for the teams, coaches and fans.

"It is 80 days to the start of Euro 2016 and the organisers, cities and state services are fully mobilised.

"Euro 2016 should be a celebration but collective security is an obligation for everyone."

Wales meet Slovakia, England and Russia in a bid to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... s-11083676?

f*cking hope not. I'm heading out for the England game and would rather risk my life then not go.

I think the security will be mental over there because lets face it a tournament like this is the kind of place where a terrorist could cause maximum damage.

We have waited over 50 years for this, no way can we be forced to play behind closed doors - that's letting the terrorists win.

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Respect what your saying and while we must look at things with more caution these days, live life how you want not how they want.

f*cking hope not. I'm heading out for the England game and would rather risk my life then not go.

I'm laughing but I agree with you

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Respect what your saying and while we must look at things with more caution these days, live life how you want not how they want.

Me and griff105 (off this board) are travelling to Ukraine on Sunday for the Wales friendly.
We are flying Manchester to Kiev via Brussels.
After the tragic events yesterday, if the airport is open by Sunday and we can fly, we will still be going.
I will be going as I have been looking forward to a few days in Kiev.

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Respect what your saying and while we must look at things with more caution these days, live life how you want not how they want.

Very true, it is but at the same time this tourment no doubt is going to be targeted. If be more surprises if something didn't happen which is a very sad state of affair. I'm not going to stop living just maybe change where I'm going.

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Respect what your saying and while we must look at things with more caution these days, live life how you want not how they want.

Very true, it is but at the same time this tourment no doubt is going to be targeted. If be more surprises if something didn't happen which is a very sad state of affair. I'm not going to stop living just maybe change where I'm going.

Im away any but I gotta be honest I wouldn't fancy it

Respect what your saying and while we must look at things with more caution these days, live life how you want not how they want.

Very true, it is but at the same time this tourment no doubt is going to be targeted. If be more surprises if something didn't happen which is a very sad state of affair. I'm not going to stop living just maybe change where I'm going.

I agree,I'm booked up for a week over there & was thinking is it really worth going when you see all that shit going on

A better last resort would be to play it in the USA or Australia surely. At least some fans could then go.

Im going to Ukraine and I'm going to France.
No surrender to terrorist scum.

Im going to Ukraine and I'm going to France.
No surrender to terrorist scum.

stand tall feck them all

Im going to Ukraine and I'm going to France.
No surrender to terrorist scum.

stand tall feck them all